JP5300272B2 - Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and imaging area display method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply search an image to be observed from among many images. <P>SOLUTION: The image position calculator 81 of a sequence control device 8 calculates the image position per image series, and transmits the information of image position, projector position, patient's height, posture and his/her body insertion direction to an image treatment device 100. An image position indication controller 144b displays the image region per image series on a three-dimensional whole body model chart of the patient using the information of image position, projector position, patient's height, posture and his body insertion direction per image series and displays a series of the images selected by an operator. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for displaying an image captured by a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus (MRI apparatus).

  When imaging a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, it is necessary to capture a sagittal image of the imaging location of the subject in advance as a positioning image and set a large number of slice regions on the sagittal image as a preparation stage. For this reason, a technique for supporting efficient setting of a slice area or a technique for supporting efficient change of a set slice area has been developed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In addition, when shooting is continuously performed at each slice position in the set slice area, the progress of the scan is visualized by displaying which slice position in the entire slice area is currently scanned. Technology has also been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 2003-290171 A JP 2003-290172 A JP-A-6-315471

  However, when observing a captured image, it is not easy to search for an image to be observed from a large number of images. In particular, when a whole body is imaged, it is not possible to search for an image to be observed from a large number of series images. It becomes very difficult.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art, and can associate an imaging region with an image to facilitate the search of the image from the imaging region and the confirmation of the imaging region of the display image. An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and an imaging area display method.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for imaging a subject using a magnetic resonance phenomenon and displaying the image of the taken subject. subject entire model diagram based on body length, the entire subject image, and out of the magnetic field space, and the total display means for displaying at least any one, the model diagram, the image, and out of the magnetic field space, entire An image pickup area display means for displaying a plurality of image pickup areas for each image pickup series on top of what is displayed by the display means.

The present invention also provides an imaging region display method by a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that images a subject using a magnetic resonance phenomenon and displays the image of the captured subject, the subject being based on the body length of the subject entire model diagram, the entire subject image, and out of the magnetic field space, and the entire display step of displaying at least either the model diagram, the image, and out of the magnetic field space, displayed by the entire display step And an imaging area display step of displaying an imaging area for each imaging series for a plurality of series .

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily grasp the entire imaging region.

  Exemplary embodiments of a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and an imaging region display method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, an image display method by the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an image display method by the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment displays a three-dimensional whole body model diagram 21 of a patient (subject) and displays a three-dimensional whole body model diagram. The imaging area 22 is displayed on the top.

  Here, the three-dimensional whole body model FIG. 21 is a reduced view of a patient created based on the actual height of the patient. Further, here, each imaging region 22 corresponds to each imaging series. For example, in FIG. 1A, the imaging regions 22 corresponding to the A series to the D series are displayed superimposed on the three-dimensional whole body model diagram 21, respectively.

  Fig.1 (a) and FIG.1 (b) have shown the case where a patient is inserted in the gantry from another direction. The operator can display an image of a specific imaging region by selecting the imaging region 22 on the three-dimensional whole body model diagram. For example, when the operator selects the imaging region 22 corresponding to the E series in FIG. 1B, the thumbnail image list display window 11 and the patient image display window 12 shown in FIG. 2 are displayed on the display device. In the thumbnail image list display window 11, information on the imaging series is displayed vertically, and information on the slice position is displayed horizontally. Although the thumbnail image list display window 11 and the patient image display window 12 are displayed here, only the patient image display window 12 is displayed without displaying the thumbnail image list display window 11. You can also Further, the operator first displays the thumbnail image list display window 11 without using the three-dimensional whole body model diagram 21, and selects the imaging series from the thumbnail image list display window 11 to display the patient image display window 12. You can also.

  When the operator selects a C series image in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 1C, the imaging area 23 corresponding to the C series is blinked and displayed with a brightness different from that of the other imaging areas. In FIG. 1C, the imaging region 23 corresponding to the C series is displayed with different brightness. However, in a color display device, the imaging region 23 corresponding to the C series is different from other imaging regions. Flashes in color.

  As described above, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment displays the patient's three-dimensional whole body model diagram 21 and displays the imaging region 22 on the three-dimensional whole body model diagram, so that the operator Images can be searched and displayed easily. Further, the imaging region corresponding to the series selected by the operator in the thumbnail image list display window 11 is displayed in the three-dimensional whole body model diagram 21 by blinking with a different brightness or a different color from the other imaging regions. It is possible to easily confirm the image pickup location of the image being displayed.

  In FIG. 1, since the imaging region is displayed from the side of the patient, the imaging region is shown as a rectangle, but the imaging region is also displayed three-dimensionally. Therefore, the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment can rotate and display the three-dimensional whole body model diagram 21 and the imaging region 22 based on an instruction from the operator. By rotating and displaying the imaging region 22, the operator can observe the position of the imaging series from various directions.

  In FIG. 1, the imaging region 22 is displayed on the three-dimensional whole body model diagram, but the imaging region can be displayed on the three-dimensional whole body image of the patient instead of the three-dimensional whole body model diagram 21. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed by superimposing the imaging region 22 on the three-dimensional whole body image 24. The figure also shows that the imaging region 22 is displayed in three dimensions.

  Next, the configuration of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating the configuration of the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, this magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a static magnetic field magnet 1, a gradient magnetic field coil 2, an RF coil 3, a static magnetic field power supply 4, a gradient magnetic field power supply 5, a transmitter 6, and a receiver. 7, a sequence control device 8, and an image processing device 100.

The static magnetic field magnet 1 is a magnet formed in a cylindrical shape, and generates a static magnetic field H ₀ in a space inside the cylinder where the patient P is placed by a current supplied from the static magnetic field power supply 4. The gradient magnetic field coils 2 are three pairs of coils disposed inside the static magnetic field magnet 1, and three directions of x, y, and z are placed inside the static magnetic field magnet 1 by current supplied from the gradient magnetic field power supply 5. A gradient magnetic field is generated along

  The RF coil 3 is a receiving coil arranged so as to face the patient P in the opening of the static magnetic field magnet 1, irradiates the patient P with an RF pulse transmitted from the transmitter 6, and is excited by the patient. MR signals emitted from P hydrogen nuclei are received. The static magnetic field power source 4 is a power source that supplies current to the static magnetic field magnet 1, and the gradient magnetic field power source 5 is a power source that supplies current to the gradient magnetic field coil 2 based on an instruction from the sequence control device 8.

  The transmitter 6 is a device that transmits an RF pulse to the RF coil 3 based on an instruction from the sequence control device 8, and the receiver 7 detects the MR signal received by the RF coil 3, and outputs the MR signal. Generate raw data by digitizing. When generating the raw data from the MR signal, the receiver 7 transmits the generated raw data to the sequence control device 8.

  In addition, although illustration is abbreviate | omitted in FIG. 4, this magnetic resonance imaging device has the top plate which mounts the patient P, and the bed which supports a top plate, and moves a top plate along az direction By doing so, an image of a plurality of parts of the patient P can be taken. The top plate is moved manually or automatically.

  The sequence control device 8 is a device that performs imaging of the patient P by driving the gradient magnetic field power source 5, the transmitter 6, and the receiver 7 based on the sequence information transmitted from the image processing device 100. Here, the sequence information refers to the strength of the power supplied from the gradient magnetic field power supply 5 to the gradient magnetic field coil 2 and the timing of supplying the power, and the strength of the RF pulse transmitted from the transmitter 6 to the RF coil 3 and the RF pulse. This is information defining a procedure for performing imaging such as timing and timing at which the receiver 7 detects an MR signal. When the raw data is transmitted from the receiver 7 as a result of imaging the patient P, the sequence control device 8 transfers the raw data to the image processing device 100.

  The sequence control device 8 also has an image position calculation unit 81. The image position calculation unit 81 calculates an imaging position of an image for each imaging series, and transfers information on the imaging position to the image processing apparatus 100 together with information such as the patient's body position and insertion direction.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method by which the image position calculation unit 81 calculates the imaging position. As shown in the figure, the image position calculation unit 81 includes a distance 31 from one end of the top plate 9 on which the patient P is placed to the patient's head tip, and a distance 32 from the other end of the top plate 9 to the patient's leg tip. The moving distance of the top plate 9 for each of the projector position 33 and the imaging series is measured.

  And the image position calculation part 81 calculates the imaging position for every imaging series from the projector position 33 and the information of the movement distance of the top plate 9 for every imaging series. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the definition of the imaging position. As shown in the figure, the imaging position of each image is defined by a vector from the projector position to the upper left corner of the image with reference to the projector position.

  The image position calculation unit 81 also subtracts the distance 31 from one end of the top plate 9 to the patient's head tip and the distance 32 from the other end of the top plate 9 to the patient's leg tip from the top plate length. P's height is calculated. Then, the image position calculation unit 81 transfers information such as the calculated imaging position, the height of the patient P, and the projector position 33 to the image processing apparatus 100.

  Further, the image position calculation unit 81 acquires information on the posture of the patient P on the tabletop (backward, prone or sideways) and the insertion direction of the patient P into the gantry from the operator, and transfers the information to the image processing apparatus 100. .

  The distance 31 from one end of the top plate 9 to the patient's head tip and the distance 32 from the other end of the top plate 9 to the patient's leg tip should be measured using a mechanism or the like used for height measurement. Can do. Here, the image position calculation unit 81 calculates the height of the patient P, but the height of the patient P can also be acquired from the operator. Further, the image processing apparatus 100 can acquire height information from the patient information database.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the image processing apparatus 100 controls the magnetic resonance imaging apparatus based on an operation from the operator, converts raw data transmitted from the sequence control apparatus 8 into k-space data, and the k An apparatus for reconstructing an image from spatial data.

  Next, the configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the image processing apparatus 100 includes an input unit 110, a display unit 120, a storage unit 130, and a control unit 140.

  The input unit 110 is an input unit for accepting various inputs by an operator, and is realized by a pointing device such as a mouse or a trackball, a keyboard, or the like, and accepts various operations by cooperating with the display unit 120 described later. A user interface is provided to the operator.

  The display unit 120 is an output unit for displaying various information such as a captured image, and is realized by a monitor device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display or a liquid crystal display.

  The storage unit 130 is a storage unit that stores various types of information, and includes a collected data storage unit 131 and an image storage unit 132. The collected data storage unit 131 is a storage unit that stores the raw data transmitted from the sequence control device 8. In addition, the collected data storage unit 131 includes the imaging position for each imaging series transmitted from the sequence control device 8, the height of the patient P, the projector position 33, the posture of the patient P on the top board, and the patient P's position on the gantry. Information such as the insertion direction is stored.

  The image storage unit 132 is a storage unit that stores a reconstructed image reconstructed by an image reconstruction unit 143 described later. The image storage unit 132 stores the imaging position of each image.

  The control unit 140 is a processing unit that executes various processes, and includes a main control unit 141, a sequence control unit 142, an image reconstruction unit 143, and a display control unit 144.

  The main control unit 141 is a processing unit that receives various instructions and various requests from the operator via the input unit 110 and controls the operation of each functional unit based on the received instructions and requests. Specifically, when receiving a shooting instruction from the operator, the main control unit 141 generates sequence information based on the instructed shooting condition and transmits the sequence information to the sequence control unit 142. This sequence information is transmitted to the sequence control device 8 via the sequence control unit 142 and is used when photographing is performed by the sequence control device 8. In addition, when the main control unit 141 receives an image display instruction from the operator, the main control unit 141 instructs the display control unit 144 to display.

  The sequence control unit 142 is a processing unit that controls transmission / reception of data exchanged with the sequence control device 8. Specifically, when the sequence information is transmitted from the main control unit 141, the sequence control unit 142 transmits the sequence information to the sequence control device 8. The sequence control device 8 transmits information such as raw data and the imaging position for each imaging series, the height of the patient P, the projector position 33, the posture of the patient P on the top board, and the insertion direction of the patient P in the gantry. Then, the sequence control unit 142 stores the transmitted raw data and information in the collected data storage unit 131.

  The image reconstruction unit 143 is a processing unit that reconstructs an image based on the raw data stored in the collected data storage unit 131. Specifically, the image reconstruction unit 143 reads raw data stored in the collected data storage unit 131 under the control of the main control unit 141, converts the raw data into k-space data, and applies the k-space data to the k-space data. A two-dimensional or three-dimensional image is reconstructed by performing predetermined image reconstruction processing such as Fourier transform processing.

  The display control unit 144 is a processing unit that controls display on the display unit 120, and includes an image display control unit 144a and an image position display control unit 144b. The image display control unit 144 a is a processing unit that controls the display of the reconstructed image stored in the image storage unit 132 on the display unit 120. For example, the image display control unit 144a displays the thumbnail image list and patient images shown in FIG.

  The image position display control unit 144 b displays the patient's three-dimensional whole body model diagram using the patient height information stored in the collected data storage unit 131, and performs imaging for each imaging series stored in the collected data storage unit 131. The processing unit displays the imaging region 22 on the three-dimensional whole body model diagram using the position and projector position information and slice region setting information specified as part of the imaging conditions.

  That is, the image position display control unit 144b performs the imaging area display shown in FIG. In addition, the image position display control unit 144b displays the imaging area corresponding to the series selected by the operator in the thumbnail image list display window 11 of FIG. 2 in the three-dimensional whole body model FIG. Flashes in color.

  Further, the image position display control unit 144b rotates and displays the three-dimensional whole body model diagram 21 and the imaging region based on an instruction from the operator.

  Next, a processing procedure of image position calculation processing by the image position calculation unit 81 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of image position calculation processing by the image position calculation unit 81. As shown in the figure, in this image position calculation process, the image position calculation unit 81 recognizes the position of the patient's head and foot on the top (step S1), and the patient's head and Each distance to the tip of the foot is measured (step S2).

  Then, the height of the patient is calculated from the measured distance and the top board length (step S3). Then, the position of the projector is measured (step S4), and the imaging position for each imaging series is calculated from the position of the projector and the moving distance of the top plate 9 (step S5). Then, information on the posture of the patient on the top board and the direction of insertion into the gantry is received from the operator (step S6), and information on the imaging position, the projector position, and the height, posture, and insertion direction of the patient is received by the image processing apparatus 100. Transmit (step S7).

  As described above, the image position calculation unit 81 calculates the imaging position for each imaging series, and transmits the information on the imaging position, the projector position, and the height, body position, and insertion direction of the patient to the image processing apparatus 100, thereby performing image processing. The apparatus 100 can display the patient's three-dimensional whole body model diagram 21 and the imaging region 22.

  Next, the processing procedure of the imaging area display process by the image position display control unit 144b will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the imaging area display processing by the image position display control unit 144b. As shown in the figure, in this imaging region display process, the image position display control unit 144b displays the patient's three-dimensional whole body model diagram 21 based on information on the patient's height, body position, and insertion direction (step S11). .

  Then, an ROI (Region Of Interest) indicating the captured image position, that is, an imaging region 22 is displayed for each imaging series on the patient's three-dimensional whole body model diagram (step S12). Then, the imaging series label assigned to each imaging series is displayed (step S13).

  When the operator selects an imaging series, the patient image display window 12 displays the images of the series selected by the operator (step S14).

  As described above, the image position display control unit 144b displays the imaging region 22 for each imaging series on the three-dimensional whole body model diagram of the patient, and displays an image of the imaging series selected by the operator, thereby enabling the operator. Can easily display an image of a portion to be observed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the image position calculation unit 81 of the sequence control device 8 calculates the imaging position for each imaging series, and the information on the imaging position, the projector position, and the height, body position, and insertion direction of the patient is displayed as an image. It transmits to the processing apparatus 100. Then, the image position display control unit 144b uses the information on the imaging position, the projector position, and the height, body position, and insertion direction of the imaging series for each imaging series to display the imaging area 22 on the 3D whole body model diagram for each imaging series. Display and display an image of the imaging series selected by the operator. Therefore, the operator can easily select and display an image of a portion to be observed from the three-dimensional whole body model diagram.

  In this embodiment, the case where the imaging region 22 is displayed on the patient's three-dimensional whole body model diagram has been described. However, the imaging region may be displayed on the magnetic field space display instead of the patient's three-dimensional whole body model diagram. it can. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an imaging region is displayed on the magnetic field space display. In this example, an imaging section for each imaging series is displayed on the three-dimensional magnetic field space display.

  As described above, the present invention is useful for a medical image diagnostic apparatus, and is particularly suitable when it is necessary to search an image to be observed from a large number of images.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the image display method by the magnetic resonance imaging device which concerns on a present Example. It is a figure which shows an example of a thumbnail image list display window and a patient image display window. It is a figure which shows an example of the image displayed by superimposing the imaging area on the three-dimensional whole body image. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the magnetic resonance imaging device which concerns on a present Example. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the method by which an image position calculation part calculates an imaging position. It is a figure which shows the definition of an imaging position. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of an image processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the image position calculation process by an image position calculation part. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the imaging region display process by an image position display control part. It is a figure which shows the example which displayed the imaging area on the magnetic field space display.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Static magnetic field magnet 2 Gradient magnetic field coil 3 RF coil 4 Static magnetic field power supply 5 Gradient magnetic field power supply 6 Transmitter 7 Receiver 8 Sequence control apparatus 11 Thumbnail image list display window 12 Patient image display window 21 3D whole body model figure 22, 23 Imaging Area 24 Three-dimensional whole body image 31 Distance from one end of the top plate to the patient's head tip 32 Distance from the other end of the top plate to the patient's leg tip 33 Projector position 81 Image position calculation unit 100 Image processing device 110 Input unit 120 display unit 130 storage unit 131 collected data storage unit 132 image storage unit 140 control unit 141 main control unit 142 sequence control unit 143 image reconstruction unit 144 display control unit 144a image display control unit 144b image position display control unit

Claims (6)

A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus that images a subject using a magnetic resonance phenomenon and displays an image of the imaged subject,
An overall display means for displaying at least one of a model diagram of the entire subject based on the body length of the subject, an image of the entire subject, and a magnetic field space;
Imaging region display means for displaying a plurality of imaging regions for each imaging series in the imaging of a plurality of parts on the model diagram, the image, and the magnetic field space displayed by the whole display unit. A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus.   2. The subject image display means for displaying an image of an imaging area selected by an operator from among a plurality of series of imaging areas displayed by the imaging area display means. Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus.   The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging area display unit displays an imaging area in which an image of a subject is displayed in a form different from other imaging areas. The overall display means three-dimensionally displays at least one of the model diagram, the image, and the magnetic field space,
The imaging area display means three-dimensionally displays the imaging area,
Rotation display means for rotating at least one of the 3D model diagram, 3D image, and 3D magnetic field space displayed by the whole display means, and the 3D imaging area displayed by the imaging area display means. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The whole display means is
The body length of the subject is calculated using the distance from one end of the top plate on which the subject is placed to the head tip of the subject and the distance from the other end of the top plate to the tip of the leg of the subject. Create a model diagram of the subject based on the measured body length and the information about the posture of the subject and the insertion direction of the subject specified by the operator,
The imaging region display means displays the imaging region on the model diagram based on information on the moving distance of the top plate, the position of the projector, and slice region setting information. The magnetic resonance imaging apparatus described in 1. An imaging region display method by a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for imaging a subject using a magnetic resonance phenomenon and displaying an image of the taken subject,
An overall display step for displaying at least one of a model diagram of the entire subject based on the body length of the subject, an image of the entire subject, and a magnetic field space;
An imaging region display step for displaying a plurality of imaging regions for each imaging series in imaging of a plurality of parts on the model diagram, the image, and the magnetic field space displayed by the whole display step. An imaging region display method characterized by that.